F*ck Computers

[coldbrightsunlight]

I use a combination of AVG and Microsoft Security Essentials, works great.

And I agree with everyone saying build it yourself. The savings you get are phenomenal and it's dead easy.

[Schlatte]

HP Laptop biting the dust? Overheating? Let me guess.... HP Laptop with AMD CPU.. probably one of the DV-insert number here series... I have a dv9 and pretty much the same overheating issues. Fucking AMD with their 70°C plus CPUs... the Athlon/Athlon X2 series was the WURST!
I'm running an Intel CPU now. Ran it overclocked for a few months, realized I didn't need it, set it back to normal. Knocking on wood here, that thing has been running without an issue for years now. The only thing that broke was the power supply, and that was because of a lightning storm.
If you want a laptop again, I can recommend Lenovo and Asus. Maybe you can get one cheap without an os. Then pirate win7 and you're done.

[MrNovember]

HP Laptop biting the dust? Overheating? Let me guess.... HP Laptop with AMD CPU.. probably one of the DV-insert number here series... I have a dv9 and pretty much the same overheating issues. Fucking AMD with their 70°C plus CPUs... the Athlon/Athlon X2 series was the WURST!
I'm running an Intel CPU now. Ran it overclocked for a few months, realized I didn't need it, set it back to normal. Knocking on wood here, that thing has been running without an issue for years now. The only thing that broke was the power supply, and that was because of a lightning storm.
If you want a laptop again, I can recommend Lenovo and Asus. Maybe you can get one cheap without an os. Then pirate win7 and you're done.

It was an older version of one of these: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/hew ... 25646.aspx

[futuresailors]

The one year warranty on Asus is nice.
Just make sure to read the reviews. If multiple people say something was an issue, you can bet your sweet ass that it's going to be an issue for you.

Like mine said the keyboard sometime missed strokes and the power supply pin broke easily.
My pin broke once 3 months in (sup warranty), and again a year after that. It's been sitting in a box for a couple months now because I've been too lazy to take it to get fixed.

[MrNovember]

The one year warranty on Asus is nice.
Just make sure to read the reviews. If multiple people say something was an issue, you can bet your sweet ass that it's going to be an issue for you.

Like mine said the keyboard sometime missed strokes and the power supply pin broke easily.
My pin broke once 3 months in (sup warranty), and again a year after that. It's been sitting in a box for a couple months now because I've been too lazy to take it to get fixed.

Yeah review pages will be my best friends leading up to buying the next computer.
I've definitely learned my lesson the past couple years dealing with the shit computers that I have had.
Building my own is sounding like a better solution all the time now.
I might even build a desktop; there really isn't a solid reason that I need a laptop

[morange]

Like, can you even build a laptop? Never heard of that. I was assuming all the build your own suggestions meant desktop.

[Jeff-7]

You can but it's more difficult than building a desktop (size constraints, parts sourcing, upgrading) and in the end the savings aren't great. If a laptop isn't absolutely necessary I'd definitely build a desktop. I got a Lenovo Flex 15 Ideapad from work that's pretty cool, semi tablet with touchscreen and everything. Only thing I don't like is the lack of an optical drive, but everything I need for work I can access remotely through the network. Windows 8 machine so it took some getting used to. For home use I have an Alienware, expensive as shit but I got it for free (friend gets a new one yearly and gives me the one he is replacing) and it's pretty neat. Really rock solid and a good performer. Once I get my savings back up (just moved and burned up half of it) I'll be looking at a new semi-hollow and building a new desktop.

[MrNovember]

I may have just been assuming the build your own suggestions were about laptops because that's what I'm dealing with
I kind of want to just build a desktop then buy a decent tablet or even just a better phone for on the go

[morange]

Yeah laptops may be a thing of the past. Kind of an awkward place between full featured full powered desktops, and ultra-portable tablets and smart-phones.

[Moustache_Bash]

What about laptops for djing? Seems like they fit that function well.

[rustywire]

Computers sure do excel at creating headaches.

In the future, an aluminum Zalman notebook cooling pad should be standard issue if you're using a laptop.
Typically brings things down 10° C or more, which can be the difference between an extended life and premature death.
But some designs are simply flawed from the start.

FME, buying a rebrander's computer delivers value parts for premium prices plus proprietary crapware, bloatware and/or spam.